FIFTEEN Mayors from across the region joined the Bishop of Jarrow at a special service for the new Mayor of Darlington.

The civic service took place at St Michael’s Church in Heighington on Sunday in honour of Darlington Mayor Cllr Gerald Lee.

It included songs from well-known opera singer Janet Walke as well as the church’s adult and junior choirs.

Mayor Lee said he was delighted with the turnout, especially considering the service fell at the start of the holiday season.

He said: “It went excellently.

“Being Mayor is a very, very pleasant job.

“It is an honour, and particularly because we are meeting people from right across the spectrum of life – from the little Brownies through to Lord Lieutenants and High Sheriffs - and going into organisations from Alzheimer’s clubs to Durham Cathedral.”